Seat track assembly with mechanical memory

Abstract

An easy entry seat track assembly is provided. The assembly includes a mechanical memory for the comfort position when the seat is moved to the easy entry position and returned. A latching mechanism is provided which engages a latching plate at a multiplicity of positions to establish a comfort setting for the occupant. A handle is provided to establish the comfort setting. The handles has a detent which is automatically releasably engageable with the latch mechanism when the seat moves to the easy entry position and returns to the comfort position.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are as follows: 
     
       1. An easy entry seat track assembly with integral comfort and mechanical memory for a vehicle seat having a pivotable seat back, the seat having an inboard and outboard side, a front and a rear, the seat track assembly comprising proximate the inboard and outboard sides, a fixed lower rail fixed to the frame of a vehicle and extending from proximate the front to proximate the rear of the seat, a latching plate fixed to the frame of the vehicle and extending from proximate the front to proximate the rear of the seat, each latching plate having a multiplicity of juxtaposed detent portions extending from proximate the front to proximate the rear of the seat, each fixed rail having a moveable rail mounted therewith for movement thereof from rear to front of the seat to the easy entry position when free to do so, each moveable rail carrying release means for automatically disengaging each moveable rail from each fixed rail when the seat back is pivoted each latching plate having a slot extending from proximate the front to proximate the rear of the seat and extending adjacent the multiplicity of detent portions, each latching plate having latching means therewith having first and second detent means, each latching means being releasably moveable in the slot of the latching plate and moveable from a position wherein the first detent means of each latching means engages the detent means of each latching plate, to a position wherein the first detent means of each latching means disengages the detent means of each latching plate whereat each latching means is free to slide within the slot of each latching plate to a new comfort position and memory position and thereat reengage the first detent means of each latching means with the detent means of each latching plate, the inboard and outboard moveable rails having secured therewith handle means, the handle means being accessible to a seat occupant and simultaneously engaging the inboard and outboard track assembly and each latching means thereof, the handle means including detent means for detachably engaging the second detent means of each latching means when the first detent means of each latching means engages the detent means of each latching plate and when the seat is latched and not moveable, including a supplementary handle portion included with the detent means which preferably pivots on the same pivot as the handle means, thereby providing independent latching of the inboard and outboard latching means and moveable by the occupant to disengage the first detent means of each latching means from the detent means of each latching plate and allowing movement of each latching means in the slot of each latching plate to establish a new comfort setting and memory position whereat the first detent means of each latching means engages different juxtaposed detent means of each latching plate, the detent means of the handle means being automatically disengagable from the second detent means of each latching means when the seat back is pivoted and the release means is actuated, whereby the detent means of the handle means disengages from the second detent means of each latching means thereby releasing the handle means and each moveable rail from each latching means and each fixed rail and thus allowing forward motion of the seat, whereat the first detent means of each latching means remains engaged with the detent means of each latching plate to retain the comfort setting of the seat during movement of the seat track assembly when the seat is moved to the easy entry position, whereby when the seat track is returned to the comfort position from the easy entry position by the seat occupant, as each moveable track moves to the rear the detent means of the handle means reengages the second detent means of the latching means to latch the handle means and each moveable rail with respect to each latching means and each fixed rail without changing the comfort setting of each latching means with each latching plate. 
     
     
       2. The track assembly of claim 1 wherein a common assembly is provided for installation of the latching plate and the fixed lower rail to the frame. 
     
     
       3. The track assembly of claim 1 wherein the multiplicity of juxtaposed detent portions of the latching plate are openings. 
     
     
       4. The track assembly of claim 1 wherein second detent means of the latching means is an opening. 
     
     
       5. The track assembly of claim 1 wherein each latching means is releasably slidable in the slot with the latching plate. 
     
     
       6. The track assembly of claim 1 wherein each latching means is pivotable from a position wherein the first detent means of each latching means engages the detent means of each latching plate. 
     
     
       7. The track assembly of claim 6 wherein each latching means is pivotable from a position wherein the first detent means of each latching means engages the detent means of each latching plate, to a position whereat the first detent means of each latching means disengages the detent means of each latching plate. 
     
     
       8. The track assembly of claim 1 wherein the handle means is pivotally secured with each moveable rail, and moveable upwardly away from the rail. 
     
     
       9. The track assembly of claim 1 wherein said detent means of the handle means is a pin. 
     
     
       10. The seat track assembly of claim 1 further comprising a second fixed rail fastened with and preferably above each moveable rail disposed proximate the inboard and outboard sides of the seat, each second fixed rail having a second moveable rail mounted therewith for movement thereof from rear to front of the seat to the easy entry position when free to do so, each second moveable rail carrying a latching mechanism actuated by the forward pivoting of the seat back to disengage each second moveable rail from each second fixed rail and to allow movement of each second moveable rail towards the front of the seat, each second moveable rail including third release means to engage each release means for the detent means of the handle means, the detent means of the handle means being automatically disengagable from the second detent means of each latching means when each second moveable rail moves to proximate its fully forward position whereat the third release means of each second moveable rail engages the release means for the detent means of the handle means thereby releasing the handle means and each moveable rail from each latching means and each fixed rail and thus allowing forward motion of the seat to the easy entry position. 
     
     
       11. The track assembly of claim 10 wherein the second release means is an appendage extending away from each second moveable rail. 
     
     
       12. An easy entry seat track assembly with integral comfort and mechanical memory for a vehicle seat having a pivotable seat back, the seat having an inboard and outboard side, a front and a rear, the seat track assembly comprising proximate the inboard and outboard sides, a fixed lower rail fixed to the frame of a vehicle and extending from proximate the front to proximate the rear of the seat, a latching plate fixed to the frame of the vehicle and extending from proximate the front to proximate the rear of the seat, each latching plate having a multiplicity of juxtaposed openings, each plate extending from proximate the front to proximate the rear of the seat, each fixed rail having a moveable rail releasably mounted therewith for movement thereof from rear to front of the seat to the easy entry position when free to do so, each moveable rail being automatically disengaged from the fixed rail when the seat back is pivoted, the pivoting of the seat back actuating a release mechanism with the track assembly to allow movement of each moveable rail, each latching plate having a slot extending from proximate the front to proximate the rear of the seat and extending adjacent the multiplicity of openings, each latching plate having a latching mechanism slidably engaged with the slot of the latching plate and pivotally attached proximate its end to the latching plate, a supplementary latch portion which engages the slot of the latching plate and being slideable therein is provided with the latch mechanism, each latching mechanism including first and second portions extending generally away from the juxtaposed openings of the latching plate, each first portion of each latching mechanism having disposed proximate one side thereof a multiplicity of teeth for engaging the juxtaposed openings of each latching plate and thus when engaged defining the comfort and memory of the seat track assembly, each first portion having a first recess disposed at the side of each first portion remote the teeth, each second portion of each latching mechanism being resiliently biased towards the front of the seat, and being fastened with the first portion and slideable in relation thereto, the first portion and the supplementary portion being slidably retained in the slot of each latching plate, and being pivotable at the end, each second portion including a second recess, the second recess of each second portion including a cam surface proximate the front of the second recess and a detent proximate the rear of the second recess, the detent for engagement with the release mechanism of the track assembly, a locking appendage is provided with the second portion proximate the rear of the second recess and extending partially over the second recess towards the cam surface of the second portion, each latching mechanism being releasably slidable in the slot and slideable with the supplementary portion with the latching plate and pivotable from a position wherein the teeth of each latching mechanism engage the openings of each latching plate, to a position wherein the teeth of each latching mechanism disengage the openings of each latching plate whereat each latching mechanism is free to slide within the slot of each latching plate to a new comfort position and memory and thereat reengage the teeth of each latching mechanism with the openings of each latching plate, the inboard and outboard moveable rails having secured therewith a handle and being accessible to a seat occupant, the handle simultaneously engaging each inboard and outboard track assembly and each latching mechanisms thereof by a supplementary handle portion pivotable with the handle for disengaging the comfort setting, the handle being pivotally secured with each moveable rail, and pivotable upwardly away from the rail by the occupant to disengage the teeth of each latching mechanism from the openings of each latching plate, the supplementary handle portion having disposed therewith a pin proximate each latching mechanism for detachably engaging the first and second recess of the first and second portions of each latching mechanism when the teeth of each latching mechanism engages the openings of each latching plate and when the seat is latched and not moveable, each pin of the handle being automatically disengagable from the first and second recesses of the first and second portions of each latching mechanism when the seat back is pivoted actuating the release mechanism which engages the detent of the second portion of each latching mechanism, the supplementary handle portion being separately pivotable when the pin reengages the first and second recess of the latching mechanism thus providing independent inboard and outboard latching, whereby each pin of the handle disengages the first and second recesses of each latching mechanism, each pin of the handle being urged to leave the first and second recesses of the portions of each latching mechanism by the cam surface of the second portion of the latching mechanism as these second portion moves rearwardly, actuated by the release mechanism of the track assembly, thereby lifting each pin from the first and second recesses and simultaneously moving the locking appendage of the second portion rearwardly away from the locking the pin in the first and second recesses, whereat the handle and each moveable rail are disengaged from each latching mechanism and the fixed rail and thus allows forward motion of the seat, the teeth of each latching mechanism remaining engaged with the openings of each latching plate to retain the comfort setting of the seat during movement of the seat track assembly when the seat is moved to the easy entry position, whereby when the seat track is returned to the comfort position from the easy entry position by the seat occupant, as each moveable track moves to the rear each pin of the handle and of the supplementary handle portion, reengages the first and second recesses of each latching mechanism as the release mechanism disengages the detent of the second portion and urges the second portion rearwardly to latch each pin of the handle with the locking appendage of the second portion of each latching mechanism thereby latching the handle and each moveable rail with respect to each latching mechanism and each fixed rail without changing the comfort setting of each latching mechanism with each latching plate. 
     
     
       13. The seat track assembly of claim 12 wherein a common assembly is provided for the installation of the latching plate and the fixed lower rail to the frame. 
     
     
       14. The seat track assembly of claim 12 wherein each latching plate extends substantially horizontally. 
     
     
       15. The seat track assembly of claim 14 wherein the openings of each latching plate extend substantially vertically. 
     
     
       16. The seat track assembly of claim 12 wherein the openings of each latching plate extend substantially vertically. 
     
     
       17. The seat track assembly of claim 12 wherein the recess of the second portion of the latching mechanism tapers forwardly and upwardly away from the bottom of the recess. 
     
     
       18. The seat track assembly of claim 12 wherein the handle is generally U shaped. 
     
     
       19. The seat track assembly of claim 18 further comprising a second fixed rail fastened with and preferably above each moveable rail disposed proximate the inboard and outboard sides of the seat, each second fixed rail having a second moveable rail mounted therewith for movement thereof from rear to front of the seat to the easy entry position when free to do so, each second moveable rail carrying a pawl mechanism actuated by the forward pivoting of the seat back to disengage each second moveable rail from each second fixed rail and to allow movement 
     
     
       20. The seat track assembly of claim 19 wherein the second release mechanism is an appendage extending away from each second moveable rail. 
     
     
       21. The seat track assembly of claim 12 further comprising a second fixed rail fastened with and preferably above each moveable rail disposed proximate the inboard and outboard sides of the seat, each second fixed rail having a second moveable rail mounted therewith for movement thereof from rear to front of the seat to the easy entry position when free to do so, each second moveable rail carrying a pawl mechanism actuated by the forward pivoting of the seat back to disengage each second moveable rail from each second fixed rail and to allow movement of each second moveable rail towards the front of the seat, each second moveable rail including a second release mechanism to engage each release mechanism for each pin of the handle, each pin of the handle being automatically disengagable from the recesses of each latching mechanism when each second moveable rail moves to proximate its fully forward position whereat the second release mechanism of each second moveable rail engages the release mechanism for each pin of the handle thereby releasing the handle and each moveable rail from each latching mechanism and each fixed rail and thus allowing forward motion of the seat to the easy entry position. 
     
     
       22. The seat track assembly of claim 21 wherein the second release mechanism is an appendage extending away from each second moveable rail. 
     
     
       23. The seat track assembly of claim 12 wherein each supplementary handle portion of the seat track assembly, is pivotable at each of the inboard and outboard sides of the track assembly on a common pivot with the handle, each supplementary portion including a detent to engage the handle when the handle is moved upwardly away from the track assembly to readjust the comfort position and the pin is retained in the recess of the latching mechanism yet when the pin leaves the recess of the latching mechanism when the seat moves to the easy entry position, each supplementary portion is separately pivotable allowing the pin to leave the recess and to reengage the recess independently of the handle thereby providing independent latching at both the inboard and outboard sides of the seat track assembly. 
     
     
       24. For use with an easy entry seat track assembly with integral comfort and mechanical memory for a vehicle seat having a pivotable seat back, a mechanical memory and comfort adjustment mechanism. the seat having an inboard and outboard side, a front and a rear, the seat track assembly having proximate the inboard and outboard sides, a fixed lower rail fixed to the frame of a vehicle and extending from proximate the front to proximate the rear of the seat, a latching plate fixed to the frame of the vehicle and extending from proximate the front to proximate the rear of the seat, the latching plate having a multiplicity of juxtaposed openings, the plate extending from proximate the front to proximate the rear of the seat, the fixed rail having a moveable rail releasably mounted therewith for movement thereof from rear to front of the seat to the easy entry position when free to do so, the moveable rail being automatically disengaged from the fixed rail when the seat back is pivoted, the pivoting of the seat back actuating a release mechanism with the track assembly to allow movement of each moveable rail, each latching plate having a slot extending from proximate the front to proximate the rear of the seat and extending adjacent the multiplicity of openings,   the mechanical memory and comfort adjustment mechanism comprising   a latching mechanism slidably engaged with the slot of the latching plate and pivotally attached proximate it end to the latching plate, a supplementary latch portion is provided which engages the slot of the latching plate being slidable therein, the latching mechanism including first and second portions extending generally away from the juxtaposed openings of the latching plate, the first portion of each latching mechanism having disposed proximate one side thereof a multiplicity of teeth for engaging the juxtaposed openings of the latching plate and thus when engaged defining the comfort and memory of the seat track assembly, the first portion having a first recess disposed at the side of each first portion remote the teeth, the second portion of the latching mechanism being resiliently biased towards the front of the seat, and being fastened with the first portion and slideable in relation thereto, the first portion and the supplementary portion being slidably retained in the slot of the latching plate, and being pivotable at the end the second portion including a second recess, the second recess of the second portion including a cam surface proximate the front of the second recess, and a detent proximate the rear of the second recess, the detent for engagement with the release mechanism of the track assembly, a locking appendage is provided with the second portion proximate the rear of the second recess and extending partially over the second recess towards the cam surface of the first portion, the latching mechanism being releasably slidable in the slot with the latching plate and slideable with the supplementary portion and pivotable from a position wherein the teeth of the latching mechanism engage the openings of the latching plate, to a position wherein the teeth of the latching mechanism disengage the openings of the latching plate whereat the latching mechanism is free to slide within the slot of the latching plate to a new comfort position and memory and thereat reengage the teeth of the latching mechanism with the openings of the latching plate, the moveable rail having secured therewith a handle and being accessible to a seat occupant, the handle simultaneously engaging the moveable rail and the latching mechanisms by a supplementary handle portion pivotable with the handle for disengaging the comfort setting, the handle being pivotally secured with the moveable rail, and pivotable upwardly away from the rail by the occupant to disengage the teeth of the latching mechanism from the openings of the latching plate, the supplementary handle portion having disposed therewith a pin proximate the latching mechanism for detachably engaging the first and second recesses of the first and second portions of the latching mechanism when the teeth of the latching mechanism engages the openings of the latching plate and when the seat is latched and not moveable, the pin of the handle being automatically disengagable from the first and second recesses of the first and second portions of the latching mechanism when the seat back is pivoted actuating the release mechanism which engages the detent of the second portion of the latching mechanism, the supplementary handle portion being separately pivotable when the pin reengages the first and second recess of the latching mechanism thus providing independent inboard and outboard latching, whereby the pin of the handle disengages the first and second recesses of the latching mechanism, the pin of the handle being urged to leave the first and second recesses of the portions of the latching mechanism by the cam surface of the second portion of the latching mechanism as the second portion moves rearwardly, actuated by the release mechanism of the track assembly, thereby lifting the pin from the first and second recesses and simultaneously moving the locking appendage of the second portion rearwardly away from locking the pin in the first and second recesses, whereat the handle and the moveable rail are disengaged from the latching mechanism and the fixed rail and thus allows forward motion of the seat, the teeth of the latching mechanism remaining engaged with the openings of the latching plate to retain the comfort setting of the seat during movement of the seat track assembly when the seat is moved to the easy entry position, whereby when the seat track is returned to the comfort position from the easy entry position by the seat occupant, as the moveable track moves to the rear, the pin of the handle and of the supplementary handle portion, reengages the recesses of the latching mechanism as the release mechanism disengages the detent of the second portion and urges the second portion rearwardly to latch the pin of the handle with the locking appendage of the second portion of the latching mechanism thereby latching the handle and the moveable rail with respect to the latching mechanism and the fixed rail without changing the comfort setting of the latching mechanism with the latching plate.   
     
     
       25. The mechanical memory latching mechanism of claim 24 wherein each supplementary handle portion of the mechanical latching mechanism is pivotable at each of the inboard and outboard sides of the track assembly on a common pivot with the handle, each supplementary portion including a detent to engage the handle when the handle is moved upwardly away from the track assembly to readjust the comfort position and the pin is retained in the recess of the latching mechanism yet when the pin leaves the recess of the latching mechanism when the seat moves to the easy entry position, each supplementary portion is separately pivotable allowing the pin to leave the recess and to reengage the recess independently of the handle thereby providing independent latching at both the inboard and outboard sides of the seat track assembly.